'Grids could be a danger' (From Malvern Gazette)

'Grids could be a danger'

10:45am Friday 23rd November 2007

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A PROPOSAL to install cattle grids on a road on the Malvern Hills rests on the outcome of a public inquiry held in Bromsberrow Village Hall this week.

Members of the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Worcestershire County Council presented their case for installing two grids on the road running south from Whiteleaved Oak, on the western side of Chase End Hill.

The grids would allow cattle to be kept on surrounding common land, as part of a grazing project to reduce scrub and restore the hills to their former appearance.

The proposal was met with strong concerns from local residents. However, Conrad Rumney, representing the county council, said the benefits of the scheme outweighed any objections.

"There is an explicit recognition of the threat that a decline in grazing represents to the special character of the area," he said. "In controlling the passage of animals along the highway in this manner it would make it practical for land owners to once again graze their animals along Chase End Hill."

Paul Caine and Samuel Willams, of engineering firm Halcrow, told planning inspector Andrew Roberts that they had no concerns over road safety and increased noise disturbance.

However David Hough, of Keepers Cottage, in Whiteleaved Oak, told the inquiry at its start on Monday that residents firmly opposed the cattle grids.

He said they would make the road dangerous for road users and wildlife, and that other options such as fencing and electronic tagging had not been properly considered.

"It would be interesting to know how many of the supporters of this project would knowingly allow their children or grandchildren to access this road when cattle are on it," he said.

"These grids will change the very nature of how the road is used and will make its use far less enjoyable, more restrictive, and far more stressful for all."

A £400,000 Heritage Lottery grant for the project expires at the end of January. Mr Roberts said he was aware of the desire for a quick resolution.

"We will not hang around and I see no reason why this cannot go through relatively quickly," he said.

The inquiry was continuing as The Gazette went to press yesterday.

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